Aliquot #117: The Science of Lactate in Brain Performance
Aliquot #117: The Science of Lactate in Brain Performance
Lactate often gets a bad rap due to its close association with lactic acid. But lactate plays a distinctly different and often-underappreciated role from lactic acid, serving as a fuel for the brain, ultimately supporting cognition and preventing age-related cognitive declines. And because the brain's ability to utilize glucose as fuel can be impaired following brain injury, lactate provides a needed alternative energy source, aiding in recovery. A key component in these processes is the lactate shuttle – a metabolic pathway that facilitates the movement of lactate between tissues so it can be used as an energy source, effectively recycling it and supporting sustained exercise performance.
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Lactate often gets a bad rap due to its close association with lactic acid. But lactate plays a distinctly different and often-underappreciated role from lactic acid, serving as a fuel for the brain, ultimately supporting cognition and preventing age-related cognitive declines. And because the brain's ability to utilize glucose as fuel can be impaired following brain injury, lactate provides a needed alternative energy source, aiding in recovery. A key component in these processes is the lactate shuttle – a metabolic pathway that facilitates the movement of lactate between tissues so it can be used as an energy source, effectively recycling it and supporting sustained exercise performance.
In this Aliquot, Dr. George Brooks – who identified the lactate shuttle – Dr. Martin Gibala, and I discuss how lactate supports healthy brain function and enhances cognitive performance.
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The misunderstood role of lactate in energy production
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The myth of lactate buildup and muscle fatigue
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How lactate transporters fuel exercise performance
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Do athletes produce and use more lactate than non-athletes?
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How training doubles muscle mitochondria
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The lactate shuttle – how cells share fuel during exercise
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Using lactate threshold to personalize training
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Why lactate is not the same as lactic acid
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Why Dr. George Brooks recommends one hour of physical activity per day
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How lactate improves focus and curbs appetite
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Lactate's multifaceted roles in the brain
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How high-intensity exercise enhances cognition and protects the brain
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How lactate supports glutathione, the brain’s antioxidant
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Lactate’s "glucose sparing" effect in brain injury and aging
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How lactate stimulates BDNF for brain plasticity and memory
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Why higher exercise intensity means more brain benefits
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Why Rhonda aims for peak lactate during intense exercise
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How high-intensity exercise triggers VEGF and BDNF via blood shear force
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